Assessment of heavy metal contamination from municipal solid waste open dumping sites in Bangladesh

Abstract

Co-disposal of household hazardous materials with municipal solid wastes (MSW) into the open dumping sites is the usual practice in Bangladesh. In this paper, characterization of heavy metals in MSW in open dumping sites at Matuail, Dhaka and Khulna is presented. MSW samples were collected and analyzed for total metals content (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and metal fractions. The analysis results showed that total metals content in MSW at Matuail dumping site is higher than Khulna dumping site and the metals are predominantly associated with fine soil fraction. Both sites contain higher bio-available fraction of metals. The TCLP analysis result showed that the dumping sites are non-hazardous in nature in context of heavy metals pollution. Runoff leachate also contains insignificant concentration of metals. Under the present condition prevailing at both dumping sites, the dissolution of acid soluble metals and the associate risk is very low.